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The Korea Society Members' Newsletter | May 2025
Published 8 months ago • 12 min read
Members' Newsletter | May 2025
by Stephanie Hwang, Development Program Officer
WELCOME MESSAGE
Today marks the beginning of AANHPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, histories, and contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. May was chosen to commemorate two key milestones: the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869, built in large part by Chinese immigrant labor, and the arrival of the first recorded Japanese immigrant to the U.S. in May 1843.
With a population of over 24 million, encompassing distinct histories, cuisines, languages, and cultures, the AANHPI community holds an essential place in both the history and present-day life of the United States—one that merits meaningful recognition throughout this dedicated month.
As a vibrant center for cultural expression, New York City offers countless ways to honor AANHPI Heritage Month through music, food, education, cultural organizations, and community connection. Be sure to explore what’s happening around the city, including programs hosted by The Korea Society!
Thank you for being a member of The Korea Society and for all you do to support our organization! Please help us connect with new members by spreading the word, sharing our programs, and providing this link to join our membership program.
IMAGE OF THE MONTH
by Thomas Byrne, President and CEO of The Korea Society
The Rise of South Korea's Military Industrial Base
South Korea’s continued rise as an economic power has been largely driven by exports. The country’s global ranking for exports from January–September 2024 jumped two places to sixth (from eighth in 2023) equal to a 2.8% share, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the past decade or so, arms sales have contributed to South Korea’s overall export performance, with the country now placing among the top-ten global arms exporters—2.2% of global sales in the 2020-2024 period (see pie chart), up from 1.7% in 2015-2019 .
A big boost came from the broadening of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022. South Korea’s nearly $13 billion arms contract with Poland in 2022 has also spurred interest from other NATO members, as well as from countries beyond Europe. According to media reports, Egypt is currently on the verge of signing a $1 billion contract with South Korea for the acquisition of up to 100 FA-50 light combat aircraft. The appetite for South Korean arms is because they are cheaper, arrive faster, and are almost as good as their top-tier counterparts from other countries, noted a report by CNBC.
Chung Min Lee, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, covered this and other aspects of the future of K-power in a Korea Foundation panel discussion for members of the Congressional Study Group on Korea during their visit to Korea in mid-April.
The origins of South Korea’s rise as an export powerhouse date back to the formation of the country’s military industrial base, during the Park Chung Hee government. This was the foundation for economic modernization, a thesis convincingly made by Prof. Peter Banseok Kwon in his book, Cornerstone of the Nation, which he discussed in a Korea Society program in June 2024.
South Korea is now poised to partner with the U.S. to help boost its military industrial base, namely in shipbuilding and ship maintenance, repair and overhaul. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, the University of Michigan, and Seoul National University signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2024 to establish a shipbuilding design and engineering exchange program to train the U.S. workforce. And Hanwha Ocean acquired Philly Shipyard after having received approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) in December 2024. Hanwha is planning to significantly increase the number of Jones-act compliant ships built from about one per year currently.
The Korea Society's Spring Happy Hour is taking place TONIGHT at our event space & outdoor terrace. Join us at our 350 Madison Ave address from 6:00-9:00pm.
Event attendees will receive 2 free drink tickets, with additional drinks available for purchase. Guests must be 21+ to consume alcohol (ID will be checked at entry). Our event is fully sponsored by Asian and Korean-owned small businesses.
ENTER TO WIN:
SULWHASOO GIFT SET: Participate in a 1 minute video interview for our Instagram Reels to receive a complimentary Sulwhasoo gift set (as long as supplies last).
FREE DRINK: Make sure to follow us on The Korea Society’s social media platforms to win extra drink tickets!
PEN WORLD VOICES FESTIVAL | MEMBERS-ONLY DISCOUNT!
The PEN World Voices Festival, from April 30th to May 3rd, features an exciting lineup of 35 events. Enjoy a 50% off discount for members of The Korea Society to attend any paid festival events of interest, using the code ENJOYWVF25.
On Saturday, May 3rd at 4:30pm, The Korea Society is co-presenting the event Slices of American Life, a discussion with authors Gina Chung (Green Frog) and Aaliyah Bilal (Temple Folk) whose short story collections offer rich portraits of two vibrant American communities. Moderated by writer Sarah Dillard, this conversation will explore the power of storytelling to reflect the lives and desires of their communities and the art of capturing the complexities of communities through fiction.
On Wednesday, May 7th for the 7:00pm performance, Maybe Happy Ending will be holding a kick-off celebration event for AAPI month at the theatre!
The evening will include a special talkback with cast and creatives after the show, hosted by The Broadway League.
Discounted tickets have been held for members of The Korea Society. Use the link below to purchase tickets, with the code HAPPYE2B to access the discount.
Monday, May 19th, 2025 | Baltusrol Golf Club | 201 Shunpike Road, Springfield, NJ
More than just a day on the greens, this event is a celebration of networking, meaningful connections, and shared commitment to fostering strong U.S.-Korea ties across business, government, and culture. Whether you're here for the competition or the connections, the tournament promises a rewarding and memorable experience.
Startups in Focus: Driving US-Korea Economic Synergy
The Korea Society successfully hosted Startup Scene’s 2nd keystone annual forum for 2025: “Startups in Focus: Driving US-Korea Economic Synergy," supported exclusively by Hanwha Life, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Read in Yonhap: "Venture capitalist transformation Yoon Song-yee "When starting a business, consider security and geopolitical variables" We are opening registrations for those who are interested in receiving virtual access to the panel recordings of the forum. The forum included distinguished speakers highlighting the role of startups as the nexus of economic innovation and cooperation across the U.S. and South Korea.
The recordings will only be available through our event app so make sure to register here to receive this exclusive access!
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 | 5:00 PM (EDT) | Video Release
Prepare for the thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling book from Korea. Promising even more dark secrets and shocking surprises, Snowglobe 2 sinks deeper into Chobahm's frozen world, where the only truth that matters is the story that's being told. In this episode of Author Talks, Soyoung Park discusses the English translation of her duology.
Chef and writer Caroline Choe sits down with three women with longstanding careers in the food editorial and media landscape – Christina Chaey, Myo Quinn, and Caroline Shin – to discuss the importance of diverse voices in food media, sharing their own experiences in their work, and what they hope will be the best way forward to allow for more voices and stories to be heard.
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Joan E. Cho, Associate Professor of East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University, on her book Seeds of Mobilization: The Authoritarian Roots of South Korea's Democracy, which explores the nonlinear nature of South Korea’s democratization. During the discussion, Cho describes how this historical legacy continues to impact Korean politics, including the generational divide and the recent Martial Law and impeachment episodes.
This program is moderated by Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado. This program is made possible by the generous support of our individual and corporate members and the Korea Foundation.
Join us for a discussion between YA authors Claire Ahn and Kat Cho about their latest books, the growing popularity of YA novels with Korean and Korean-American characters, and the shifting views surrounding Asian-American YA novels among both readers and the publishing industry.
This program is moderated by journalist and children’s book critic Catherine Hong.
GALLERY EXHIBITION
OPENING RECEPTION
SCULPTED VOICES | KYUNGMIN PARK & JINSIK YOO
Join our opening reception on Thursday, May 8th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at The Korea Society! Through figurative sculpture, two Korean-born artists share their personal stories and offer an opportunity for comprehensive exploration of ourselves and the world around us.
Kyungmin Park's ceramic sculptures often feature childlike figures that convey the range of human emotions. Amorphous forms symbolize the boundless imagination of childhood, while the lines and colors represent the constraints of societal expectations and adulthood.
Jinsik Yoo works with clay to create abstract representations of bodily forms embodying the layered nature of existence. Yoo expands, alters, intensifies, and ambiguates features to resonate the social, emotional, and psychological complexities beyond the physical form.
The Korea Society Gallery is available by appointment only. Please contact info@koreasociety.org at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled visit.
Gallery Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00am - 4:30pm
KOREAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
SUMMER TERM
The registration dates period for our Korean Language Program's Summer Term begins on Tuesday, May 27th.
As part of our membership benefits, we're pleased to offer a 10% discount on language classes to all members of The Korea Society (at Individual Level+). Returning students from the previous term also receive a 10% discount for the term. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your language skills!
Our 2025 Summer Term runs from July 7 through August 30. Click the link below for more information, and happy learning to all our registered students!
Unlocking Korea's Tech Potential – Strengthening U.S. Investment and Innovation
On April 1st, we held a discussion about recent developments surrounding Korea's recently proposed online platform regulations. This program gathers a panel of experts, including Scott Jacobs (Coupang), Ji Hyun Lee(AWS), and Lilla Nora Kiss, Ph.D(ITIF), to share their insights on critical matters such as US-Korea investment relations and policy incentives that could strengthen Korea’s status as a premier destination for U.S. investment.
This program was co-hosted by KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency) and moderated by Tami Overby (DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group).
From director Andrew Ahn comes The Wedding Banquet, a joyful comedy of errors about a chosen family navigating the disasters and delights of family expectations, queerness, and cultural identity. With a pitch-perfect cast of multigenerational talent (which includes Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-Jung), this fresh reimagining of Ang Lee’s beloved, award-winning rom-com is a poignant reminder that being part of a family means learning to both accept and forgive. On April 3rd, Andrew Ahn talked about his latest film and his career. This conversation is moderated by The Korea Society's Jay Oh (Senior Director of Arts & Culture).
The Verdict on Korea’s Presidential Impeachment Case
On April 4th, we held a rapid reaction program held soon after the ruling of South Korea’s Constitutional Court on the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol. How will the outcome of the case affect Korea’s democracy and society, U.S.-Korea relations, inter-Korean relations, and Korea’s regional relations with countries such as Japan, China, and Russia? Joining the discussion are Ambassador (Ret.) Philip Goldberg, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, and Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Tokyo bureau chief for The Washington Post, covering Japan and the Koreas. Korea Society President and CEO Thomas Byrne provided introductory remarks.
The discussion is moderated by policy director Jonathan Corrado and policy program officer Chelsie Alexandre. This program was made possible by the generous support the Korea Foundation.
On April 8th, we hosted a discussion about a modern application of the theories from Gregory Henderson’s 1968 seminal text Korea: The Politics of the Vortex, with Edward J. Baker, advisor to the Harvard University Korea Institute, and Dr. Ingu Hwang, Associate Professor at Boston College. The discussion also addresses Dr. Hwang’s book, Human Rights and Transnational Democracy in South Korea (2022), which examines the role of South Korean pro-democracy actors in (re)shaping the global history of human rights activism and politics in the 1970s.
The moderator for this program is The Korea Society's President & CEO Tom Byrne. This program is made possible by the generous support of the Kim Koo Foundation.
Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes
Sarah Ahn’s viral food videos featuring her mother Nam Soon Ahn have captivated millions of viewers with their behind-the-scenes look at Korean cooking and multigenerational home life. On April 10th, they explored their latest collaboration and must-have cookbook: Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes. The recipes are framed by mother-daughter conversations that are funny, profound, and universally relatable—plus all the food is backed by the recipe-testing power of America’s Test Kitchen.
This conversation is moderated by Eric Kim, New York Times staff writer and essayist.
On April 16th, we had a conversation on acting and activism with actress and North Korean human rights activist Minnie Mills. Exploring the origin and development of her professional acting career, Minnie discusses roles on “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “Obliterated,” and future projects. She also describes her passion for supporting North Korean refugees through volunteering for Liberty in North Korea (LiNK). An introduction is provided by Dr. Victor Cha, Professor at Georgetown University and President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department at CSIS. The moderator for this program is The Korea Society's Policy Program Officer Chelsie Alexandre. This program was made possible by the generous support of the Kim Koo Foundation.
Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation Series on Ethics & Common Values: A Conversation with Ilyon Woo
On April 23rd, The Korea Society and Y. T. Hwang Family Foundation were proud to present Ilyon Woo, New York Times best-selling author of Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, which won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Biography.
This discussion is moderated by Ed Park, author of Same Bed Different Dreams (2023)and Personal Days (2008). This program was made possible by the generous support of the Y.T. Hwang Family Foundation.
The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon with Ankit Panda
On April 30th, we were joined by Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, for his newly published book: The New Nuclear Age: At the Precipice of Armageddon. This book describes how “nuclear weapons are returning to the fore of international statecraft.” The book includes a passage on North Korea’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and the debate over South Korea acquiring an indigenous deterrent.
The moderator for this program is The Korea Society's Policy Director Jonathan Corrado. This program was produced in collaboration with Temple University Japan and made possible by the generous support of the Korea Foundation.
A Roundtable with Ambassador (Ret.) Raymond Burghardt
On April 30th, we held a private roundtable discussion co-hosted by The Korea Society and Temple University Japan with Ambassador Raymond Burghardt, who served for many years as one of the leading Asian specialists in the U.S. Foreign Service, to discuss U.S. relations with Taiwan and America's Asian allies under the Trump administration.
Ambassador Burghardt joined in conversation with Temple University Japan Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies Co-Director Robert Dujarric, senior vice president at Park Strategies Sean King, and Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado.
A special invitation to this event was extended to members of The Korea Society.
We hope you are enjoying The Korea Society's programs! We are a non-profit organization that counts on donations from folks like you to enable us to continue to offer top-notch programs. Consider donating to help us
YOUTUBE SHORTS
Check out our past programs on The Korea Society's YouTube Channel. Subscribe today!
Thanks to our Media Program Associate Bradley Sheen, you can now see the best clips from our guest speakers on Youtube Shorts. Click on the most recent highlights shown here, or visit the page below for our full collection of shorts.
We are always looking to improve the quality of our organization's programs and content! If you have any feedback, suggestions, or ideas about how we can improve, email us at development@koreasociety.org
A nonprofit, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) organization with individual and corporate members that is dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding, and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea.
This monthly newsletter is designed to keep our community of members informed about our latest achievements, upcoming programs, and other exciting updates.
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